The Crossroads Betwixt Life and Death
Chapter 25: From the Mundane to the Unlikely (Danny's P.Ø.V)
I'd given up on the weights and the arrows 'cos my whole body ached, I felt like I'd gone ten rounds with an army of super-powered Skulkers, so I was curled up on a squishy soft chair in the sitting room. It was getting late now so the curtains were closed and the only light was coming from the tv.
On the screen a man stood on stage in a grey suit trying talking to a family about their problems. I wasn't paying much attention though.
I was alone in the room since Vlad had walked away without a word awhile ago and I'd got bored of flicking through channel after channel after channel; I think Vlad got every tv channel known to man on this thing so It'd take hours to look at everyone of 'em. He probably didn't even watch half of them anyway, I'd hardly ever seen him watch tv when I'd been here. He was always doing something else, like work or reading books or...I dunno...something else...someone else...oh god! Mental picture again! Stupid fruitloop!
But speaking of someone else...that doctor woman...Evelyn, Vlad had called her, why was she involved in all this? I mean, Clockwork had sent that note to her, right? So maybe she knew more than was letting on. Nah, probably not. She was just unlucky, he was just messing with her. I guess he was messing with Vlad too, 'cos she was Vlad's 'friend', so if he put her in danger Vlad probably wouldn't be too happy.
I didn't get it though. What would Clockwork get out of it? I didn't get any of his plan, he was just acting so weird. And cruel.
Maybe that was why she was here; 'cos Vlad didn't want her to die. He didn't want Clockwork and the Observants to...like they had my family. I'd never seen Vlad care about anyone like that before. Well, there was my mom, but this was different. He'd been...obsessive about my mom, creepily obsessive. I hadn't seen him act like that with this woman. Did that mean he did care about her, or that he didn't?
I dunno. I'd never be able to understand how Vlad thought, and I'd give myself brain damage if I kept on trying to. So I turned the volume up on the tv and listened to two people shouting and swearing at each other for at least 5 minutes.
Then, I heard footsteps and I turned round to see the woman herself walking into the room with Vlad behind her.
"Hungry?" she suddenly asked me and I stared at her. The shirt she was wearing was way too big for her, and if I had to guess I'd say it was Vlad's. Weird.
"Err...sure?" I said, but it ended up sounding more like a question. She picked up the phone from the table and held a black wallet in her other hand, Vlad came into the room soon after.
"And what are you going to do with that?" he asked her, crossing his arms with a book in his right hand, he stared at what I guessed was his wallet.
"Order in," she said, "Thanks for paying." I had to laugh at that. When I used to piss him off so much he'd throw me through a wall, and maybe a few windows for good measure, but all that happened to her was a not-so-scary glare. She fell back on the sofa still with the phone and Vlad's wallet as she dialed a number.
"So...what're you getting?" I asked.
"Pizza, that's okay isn't it? You like pizza, right?" she asked and I nodded, "There's a great little place in town that does a mean margherita."
"Err...right...okay..." I muttered and I turned back to the tv.
"Don't I get a say in this?" Vlad asked.
"Sure; pan or thin Italian base?" she asked him and I laughed again. It was probably a good thing she didn't know he was half ghost - at least I don't think she did - 'cos Vlad would've blasted her into next week if she did. Instead he only sat down next to her and started reading his book while she ordered the pizza.
This was...kinda...awkward. I mean, sitting with Vlad was one thing, but sitting in a room with his 'friend' as well, was totally different. I hardly knew her! I knew her name, what she did for a job, that she'd known Vlad 20 years ago...and...well...that was about it. The mental pictures don't come into it at all. Nope, nope. Not one bit.
She didn't seem to care that atmosphere was thicker than a batch of dried off Fenton Glue though. Neither did Vlad, really. What kind of woman would want to be 'friends' with Vlad anyway?And since when did Vlad take an interest in other people at all?
I felt kinda sorry for her anyway. She was being followed by the press just 'cos she was Vlad's 'friend'. Sometimes I really hated the press. Not only was I famous as a ghost - which I could sorta understand, I was now famous as Danny Fenton, so now I wasn't going to ever get any peace, at all. Not ever. And neither was she. She'd seemed upset about it earlier, but I guess now she'd got used to the idea...or she was just trying to get on with things...By wearing Vlad's shirt and ordering pizza?
Soon the programme finished and I stared at the tv as the sponsors of a zillion products droned on and on, then the next show started. A quiz show. Oh goodie...I reached for the remote to change the channel but the doc spoke before I'd even reached the right button.
"Hey, turn it up," the docs' voice sounded over my thoughts and I zoned back in again. "I'm good at these," she said. I was sort of still half zoned out so I went for the remote and turned up the volume just as the contestant was introducing herself.
Soon, the first topic was chosen and the contestant looked nervous, it was about historical inventions. Oh boy, I'd be nervous too.
"In what year was the first gasoline powered car built? And, for a second point, in what country?" the man in the suit asked and the contestant now looked even more nervous.
"1885, in Germany by Karl Benz," doc Evelyn said suddenly and I stared across at her. "It was." she said to me.
"She's right," Vlad added without looking up from his book, "Four years after Gustave Trouve designed the first car powered by electricity," he said.
"Times' up!" the announcer said after a weird buzzing noise, the contestant not having said anything at all. "And the answer is; 1885 in Germany!"
"How'd you know that?!" I asked her.
"My brother's a mechanic, he's always been obsessed with cars," she smiled.
"Well how did you know?" I turned to Vlad.
"I read it once," he shrugged, but he still didn't look up from his book.
We heard a knock at the door then and she jumped up to answer it. She came back into the room balancing the pizza box on one hand and holding a purse in the other. Dropping the box on the table she took out some money and stared back at Vlad.
"Here," she said, handing him the money. He snatched it back with a glare and she laughed again...so did I. "You really didn't think I'd take your money, did you?" when he said nothing she sighed dramatically and muttered; "Men!" under under her breath. But 'cos we had ghost hearing, me and Vlad both heard it and we both smirked when she wasn't looking.
I wondered if Vlad was worried about keeping our ghostly secrets now that his 'friend' was here. How long was she staying for? Would something happen while she was here to mess everything up? Would Clockwork...or the Observants try anything just because she was here? I had a feeling that something bad would happen. But this could all be part of their plan...whatever plan it was supposed to be anyway. It hadn't made sense so far, so why'd it have to make sense now?
"Here, Danny," doc Evelyn handed me a plate with three slices of pizza on it. I'd been so spaced out I hadn't even noticed her bring plates in from the kitchen.
"...Thanks," I said and she smiled. I must've missed the next question on the show 'cos the contestant had scored a point.
"Here's your last question for this topic; what does ENIAC stand for?" the man asked.
"Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer," the doc answered a second before the contestant did.
"Correct, that's 2 points, Wendy," the man said and I watched the contestant smile happily at the audience.
I couldn't remember ever doing this kind of thing with my family. All our family time had been spent around ghost inventions or having arguments about ghosts or trying to think of a name for a new ghost weapon or...something like that. I wasn't complaining about it or anything though, I'd liked our family time, it was fun...it had been fun. This was just different. It was hardly the same though, was it? My mom and dad and Jazz were my family...had been...But it was nice not to be on my own though.
Three days of thinking I'd be alone forever was more than enough. It didn't sound that long...three days...usually three days was nothing. But three days of having nothing, no one, and thinking that my whole life would be like that forever had been scary...really scary.
We'd been sat round the tv for hours now; having finished the quiz show, then a clip show about people doing embarrassing things, which had been really, really funny - even Vlad'd laughed at some of it...well...he'd sort of...chuckled, I guess. Then we'd watched a short and dumb programme with a comedian making fun of the 'failing economy', and the 'difference between capitalism and communism', which probably would've been funny if I'd understood what he was going on about. But the doc seemed to find it funny,
But just as the adverts were about to start after the show had finished, an 'important news report' came on.
"Breaking news," the young woman reading the headlines said, "The police are facing criticisms from the courts for the escape of four criminals who escaped custody several hours ago. After a failed covert search the police have appealed to the public for information on the whereabouts of these criminals. Detective Richard Owens had this to say..."
Then the image of the middle aged detective himself appeared, he was surrounded by reporters and cameras as he spoke.
"...As it was, we had no reason to suspect a breakout of any criminals from our facilities. But we are advising caution to anyone who sees them, they're likely armed and dangerous, if you have any information to help with out investigation please inform the place desperate,t as soon as possible..."
The headline reporter came back on and carried on talking then, "The four criminals armed with pistols who held over a dozen hostages at the central hospital in the centre of Amity Park just yesterday afternoon, were discovered to be missing at 3:45 pm..."
Whatever she said next I didn't hear; I stared across at Vlad and but looked calm, annoyingly calm. How did he manage to keep up that calm look all the time?! Maybe he'd practised it in front of a mirror. But anyway, what was all this about?
The robbery had been planned by Clockwork, right? Vlad had said it had been intended to show him that he couldn't stand a chance against Clockwork. So could the people themselves have been ghosts in disguise and they'd just gone back to the Ghost Zone. But then, wouldn't Vlad have noticed if they'd been ghosts?
I couldn't just ask Vlad about the escape now though, not with the doc sitting next to him.
She looked at Vlad for a minute and I'd say she looked worried, but I wasn't an expert in reading the expressions of women I hardly knew, so I didn't say anything. After a while she turned back to the tv and then sighed and stood up.
"Not all of us can get away with turning up at work whenever we want, so I think 11:55 is late enough for me. 'Night," she said to us and then left the room.
"She's scared," I said quietly to Vlad once I heard her footsteps on the stairs.
"Of course," he shrugged...or as close as he could get to a shrug.
"D'you think they were...ghosts?" I asked him.
"Impossible,"
"So how'd they get out?"
"You don't have to be a ghost to escape police custody, Daniel," he said. I didn't want to know why he sounded so sure of that.
"But Clockwork..."
"...Orchestrated the whole thing, I know," he finished, "So perhaps he interfered again."
"But why would he if they're not ghosts?"
"I don't know," he said. His voice was the same one he used when he was angry at me before, but quieter...it was kinda scary. "I don't know; that's what irritates me!"
"...Oh..." I muttered, then we both went quiet again, I guess there was nothing else to say about it. So it made me jump when Vlad actually spoke after a minute.
"It's late," he said, "Go to bed, Daniel."
"But I..."
"Just...go to bed," he said again. I went really tired, but I figured that if he was gonna get mad again it'd be better just to do as he said.
"Fine," I muttered and went up to my room.
(Vlad's P.Ø.V)
As soon as Daniel was gone I stood and left the house as a ghost, leaving a duplicate in my study. I teleported to the police station where I quickly found this Detective Owens who was easy to overshadow; I'd met very few people who's minds were capable of putting up a fight. I searched through his computer for the information I needed - it didn't take long.
Soon I had detailed information about all three men and the woman who'd escaped from the police, such as where they lived. Satisfied, but disappointed in the lack of mental challenge posed by the detective, I left the station in search of their 'lost' criminals.
Morning soon came bringing with it the sunrise, but it didn't bring any signs of the criminals I'd been searching for. The four separate addresses were real enough, scattered around the city with little in common save for the fact that they were all empty. My duplicates and I had searched their buildings and left no stone unturned, but found nothing out of the ordinary. Clearly they were not ghosts in some elaborate disguise that'd I'd somehow missed. They were real people, mere humans living in this town like any other of its other citizens. If they had been over-shadowed I would have been able to sense it when I'd seen them.
It was difficult work, but I relished the challenge it presented. After learning the identities of the criminals I'd flown straight to their listed homes with the three duplicates at my aid. In doing so I was neglecting Daniel and Evelyn, both of whom were sleeping soundly under my roof. But, of course, I'd left a fourth duplicate watching the house; call me paranoid. But what if by leaving, I'd been playing into another plan of his?
During my search I found nothing with Clockwork's insignia in any of the buildings which only made the mystery even more complicated. Since they would be running from the police it was highly unlikely they'd return but this was no normal case; these people had used objects bearing the insignia of the Master of Time. One just didn't find those lying around.
The way things were going though I doubted I'd ever understand what the time ghost was thinking; normal logic didn't seem to apply anymore.
Like the other addresses, the one I myself was searching, as opposed to a duplicate, was sparsely furnished with aged furniture, clearly second hand, if not third or fourth. The whole place, as well as the others, was caked with dust and even cobwebs around the light fittings which told me that these people kept their homes the same way they pulled a crime; sloppily.
However, as I approached what I would barely class as a desk, I saw a single book that definitely hadn't been there when I'd first arrived. It also didn't fit the intellectual (or lack of) category in which these people belonged. They had only one book between them, and as my boredom dragged on I floated over to it just as a strong gust of wind blew open the window directly across from the 'desk'. Coincidence?
The front cover of the book blew open and the ages overturned one by one until, finally, they settled. I decided to play along and I leaned in to read the words. It was in English, a simple typed font, leaving no clues. And to my great surprise...it was a poem...but not one that I recognised, amid was well versed in poetry. It was untitled, and the page was blank save for these short, seven stanzas;
.
'More merely than doors, can we open with keys,
But a key made of what, is for thee to see.
.
Perchance in reality t'is not a mere thing,
We're all life's perceivers, and to it we cling...
.
...For, surely to Kharon, we all pay our fee. (*1)
.
But till such a time, our fate is ablaze,
It flickers and bows as through but to praise.
To life-giving Sun we repeatedly raise,
As though as mere slaves, we live in a haze.
.
Here caution perceive: let hate not invade,
Else, afore long shall together we grieve.
.
The future's uncertain, we can't but foresee,
T'is vast and uncharted: we live like the sea.
So to your resolve I do leave this decree:
To your eyes alone it is left but to see,
By opening a door once barred shut by this key...
.
Can one find true treasures ne'er surfaced before.
Or shall you leave be, thus be lost evermore…'
.
How curious. I flicked through the rest of the book but found it filled with the same poem, written over and over again. If this was another of Clockwork's 'messages' he was being uncharacteristically overt about it again...even annoyingly overt. I closed the book and saw his insignia on the back where a bookmakers mark would be, the book itself though, like the poem had no title written on the front.
Were these people, like me, being manipulated by Clockwork as part of his 'grand plan'? It seemed the best explanation although they were most likely unaware of his machinations since they were only humans with nothing to offer him.
"Hello, Vladimir," a calm, easily-recognisable voice said. I hadn't sensed a thing, so I spun around, dropping the book back onto the desk as I did so, and my hands suddenly burned with purple flames. Anger was always the best fuel for fire.
The Master of Time himself stood not 3 feet away from me, but he didn't attack as I had been expecting him to. He held his staff and looked no more threatening than usual. Of course appearances were deceiving and he'd never been harmless. But something had happened to make him more overt in his plans, which could be bad news for me. I did not want to fight him if I could possibly help it, but with him acting more 'courageous' and less interested about consequences of his actions who knew what he'd do.
"Yours, I presume," I growled at him as gestured across to the book.
"Of course," he nodded, "Though, personally, I think it's a little cliché even for me."
I held back a sarcastic remark that would make Daniel proud as I continued to stare at him, and to my annoyance he had the gall to appear disinterested.
"Cliché?" I questioned, I tried with all my effort to appear calm, and soon I felt my blood cool.
"Yes; riddles, poems..." he listed but I spoke over him.
"...Armed robbery?" I said with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes, even that," he nodded. "This is more complicated than you realise. There is something at work here that even you cannot see..."
"What can't I see?!" I demanded, my temper flaring again.
"I'm afraid I cannot..."
"Now you listen to me; I'll not sit around and wait for your next 'cliché'," I said, my voice rising in anger, "I don't appreciate being used like a puppet!"
"I know, but there is more at stake here than your pride, Plasmius," he said which only irritated me further. "We all must accept and do things we don't agree with; for you it is disregarding your pride and your arrogance. For me, however it is different."
"How different?" I asked, "What do you mean?"
"If I told you now, then all my efforts will be wasted," he replied, suddenly more confident he asked; "Why did you come here?"
"I followed your trail! You planned that ridiculous robbery attempt! You drove Evelyn to my house, why?! What is she...or those criminals, to you?"
"To me they are nothing, and yet at the same time they are everything...but it is more important to ask yourself what they are to you," the Master of Time replied. I narrowed my red eyes at him in confusion and anger; I had no patience right now for his riddles. "It is after all, you and Danny caught up in this web, not me."
"It's you spinning this 'web'!" I mocked.
"Perhaps that's true," he smiled, "Or...then again...perhaps...not completely true."
"What?!" I snarled; his constant riddles and puzzles were becoming a nightmare. Another gust of wind blew through the window making the book on the desk behind me open once again. The noise made me turn on instinct for a split second and when I turned back Clockwork was gone. "Damn it!" I swore loudly as I felt my blood boil yet again. I felt my whole body burn with anger and my hands were once again alight with flames; if I didn't calm my temper I'd end up burning the building down. Not that I cared but it would lead to more paperwork I'd have to oversee as the mayor and with everything going on I had enough to deal with.
I was expecting a call from the police as a matter of fact to discuss the issue, but I'd never shown an interest in their work. They did their job and I did mine; that was my arrangement, and I hoped they would keep to it. I had enough to deal with.
With one last sigh I took up the book from the desk and teleported back to my manor; there was nothing more to be done here. However I left my duplicates watching the buildings, if nothing happened by tonight, I'd know that there was no chance of them returning and I'd have to find anther course of action.
Now back in my study I removed the duplicate with the knowledge that it hadn't been disturbed and I hid the book safely in my desk. I then strode confidently but silently through the rooms, seeing and hearing that all was quiet as the curtains were still closed and a glance at my watch told me why; it was still only 5:55 am. Too early for even Evelyn to go to work even in the deepest recesses of her 'doctor persona', and most definitely too early for Daniel to be awake...or so I thought. But it seemed that the boy would continue to surprise me no matter how trivial or petty the issue.
"Hey," the boy himself said quietly to me without even turning to look in my direction. He was in the sitting room reading without a light, his eyes glowing green to compensate for the shadows that still lingered in the house.
"What on earth are you doing awake at this hour?" I asked him as I stood in the doorway.
"Reading up on the moon landing," he said as though the answer had been obvious. "How 'bout you?"
"Nothing of importance," I replied.
"You sure about that?" he stared at me curiously but I shook my head.
"Don't ask, Daniel, you don't want to know, perhaps I'll tell you later," I said and he surprisingly didn't press the matter.
"Y'know, it was really hard to find a book about space here, it took me like a whole hour just to find this thing...you need a better library, dude," he said and I was grateful for the change in topic, however unusual it was.
"It's not something that particularly interested me, especially as a child," I told him truthfully.
"Really? Not even a little bit?"
"No," I shook my head and walked across the room to him, "There was always more important things."
"Like what? How old were you back then, anyway...you're like...what...fifty now?"
"Fourty, Daniel, fourty, not fifty," I corrected calmly, "Which, if you use basic math, tells you that in 1969 I was far too young to appreciate the event."
"Oh, right..." he muttered. "I still say it's interesting."
"We'll have to agree to disagree, I'm afraid, dear boy. Fascinating though it may be I believe that there are more important things."
"Don't you have like a space station or a satellite thing? And what were those plans for the rocket thing I found in your study? How can you say it's not..."
"Those are financial investments, not indulgences," I said honestly, though I doubted he believed me.
"Right, 'cos money's much more important than anything else."
"Yes, it is," I nodded. I had always been raised to believe that it was so; money was of the utmost importance.
"...I don't think so," Daniel said.
"Hmm," I smirked. It was strange how both Daniel and Evelyn looked so similarly on money, and how I willingly interacted with the two, despite the fact that I wholeheartedly disagreed with their views.
"So...what're we gonna do about...your 'friend'? What if...something happens and she sees something?"
If I was honest I had no answer for him, I had no idea what I was going to do. No doubt if Evelyn did see something then it would all be part of Clockwork's plans and I would be powerless to intervene anyway. I had no way of counter acting his powers...not his perhaps...but the Observants...that was different; they were opponents I could fight. And, barring Clockwork's intervention I had no doubt that I would be victorious in a fight against every Observant in the Ghost Zone. It was how I was to ensure his absence that I was at a loss.
"Vlad?" I heard Daniel's voice and of course my plans were interrupted.
"Hmm?" I blinked down at the boy who looked curiously up at me.
"Wow, you were really out of it, weren't you? I though only kids did that," he said, "I bet you were thinkin' about the doc, weren't ya?" he smirked, but this was one time I didn't appreciate seeing said smirk on his face.
"No," I told him forcefully, but he didn't appear to believe me.
"Yeah, yeah, sure, whatever," was his answer as he turned back to his book, his eyes glowing green once again.
My thoughts drifted back to my attempts at planning a counter attack but try as I might it was not possible to fight the Master of Time. What confused me was his behaviour earlier; why had he acted as though he was as much a victim of some insidious plot as Daniel or I were? And more importantly, if he was behind this plot, why was he leaving these 'clichés' for me to find?
Was it possible I had missed something, like he said? Or was he spinning a bigger web of false clues and endless lies? If it was my plan, I would not be seemingly tipping my hand as Clockwork appeared to be; it just wasn't smart...Unless I wanted the 'victim' to find something. Was this the case here? Or was I merely over complicating the issue? I didn't think so - there was more to this than met the eye.
I turned slowly as I heard quiet footsteps on the stairs, usually I would have heard someone approaching sooner, but I was so caught up in my thoughts that nothing else seemed to matter. Evelyn walked slowly and sluggishly as she normally did in a morning, it took her a while, and several mugs of coffee to regain her usual coherency. And I found the whole thing highly comical.
She was smarlty dressed and she flicked on the lights, Daniel's eyes quickly lost their green, ghostly glow as he hid his book, he needn't have bothered; she wouldn't have noticed it yet.
"Mornin' doc," I heard Daniel address her with more informality than I'd expected to hear from him. Perhaps it was just a 'new-generation thing.'
"Don't 'morning, doc', me, I need coffee," she muttered as she walked past me and into the kitchen.
"Wow, someone's grumpy in a morning," he smirked.
"Yeah, yeah..."
"...And early," he added.
"S'the downside of working in hospitals, kid, someone's gotta be there early," Evelyn answered as she came back into the sitting room holding a steaming mug. "You're early too, I don't know many kids who get up at sunrise."
Daniel merely shrugged, "Couldn't sleep," he said without elaboration, since it wasn't necessary, both Evelyn and I got the message.
"You been having sleeping troubles too?" she turned to me, "I didn't hear you come up."
"I was working late in my study," I lied calmly, "I fell asleep at my desk."
"You'll give yourself a bad back, y'know," she said, but I didn't reply. I merely watched as she hurriedly drank her coffee, within a minute she emptied the mug and returned it to the kitchen. She put on her coat and took up her bag that was discarded on the table and pulled out her car keys. "I better get going," she said with a sigh as she pulled back her hair.
"Don't you eat breakfast first? I mean it's not like V-man's got a food shortage," Daniel asked her quickly as she took up my house keys from the table.
"I'll pick something up at the hospital café when I get there," she replied, heading for the door, "Later, Danny, V-man," she smirked at me and I once again cursed Jack for that ridiculous nickname as she closed the door behind taking the spare set of keys with her.
"So...is she comin' back later or what?" Daniel turned to me after a minute.
"It's probable," I sighed, "The press don't tend to give up the chase after only one day...especially gossip columnists."
"Like Skulker," Daniel shuddered as he opened his book once more.
"Worse than Skulker," I corrected him.
"How d'you figure?"
"Social humiliation is far worse than anything Skulker could do, Daniel."
"Yeah, maybe for you," he muttered and I chuckled. "And...err...you were working all night, huh? Just what kind of 'work' are we talking about?" he asked soon after and I sobered immediately as I quickly debated about what to tell the boy.
"I don't suppose you'd believe me if I said it was paperwork, would you?" I asked sarcastically.
"Nope," he shook his head.
"No," I repeated and walked back into my study to retrieve the book. I returned quickly and tossed it to him. "What do you make of that?" I asked him.
"A book?" he stated, "Wow, you err...really...outdid yourself Vlad...I err..."
I rolled my eyes, "Clockwork was good enough to make an appearance when he gave it to me."
"Clockwork?!"
"Yes," I nodded, "Open it," I gestured towards the book.
"...A poem?" he frowned and flicked over page after page, "The same poem, over and over again...I don't get it...'Keys?' What's it mean...hey, wait...'keys'...isn't that like the note thing you got?"
"Yes, it too speaks of keys and doors, perhaps metaphorical or literal, I'm not quite sure."
"So...why's he leavin' riddles?"
"I haven't the faintest idea why, Daniel, as much as it pains me to admit," I growled; every time I thought about this it angered me that I was still in the dark. I was being toyed with as though I was a weak child, and no matter how long it took, I would have my revenge.
"Hey...d'you think...maybe Clockwork's trying to...I dunno...help?" Daniel asked quietly and I tried hard not to grievously insult his intelligence.
"How on earth did you come up with that idea?"
"You think it's stupid, don't you?" he sighed.
"Yes, I do," I nodded honestly.
"Well...why else would he leave these stupid clues?"
"They needn't be clues, they're more likely a sign of his overconfidence," I said confidently.
"Why couldn't they be clues for something?"
"Don't forget what he's done, Daniel, just because he was your ally before doesn't mean things can't change," I told him. It was harsh but it was the truth, "He could've helped your family, but he chose not to, doesn't that tell you that he's not as benevolent as you thought he was?"
"I know, okay?! I was there, I saw the whole damn thing!" he shouted angrily, his eyes glowing green for a second. "Sorry," he then muttered more calmly. "I just don't think he's like that."
"Even now?" I asked curiously.
"...Maybe..." he shrugged and I sighed.
I walked away from the boy and towards the kitchen. I didn't know about Daniel but since I'd been using ghost powers all night and I hadn't slept a wink I was hungry. "Where you going?" he asked.
"I'm hungry, Daniel," I said, "And I still have to work today," I said to myself.
"What're you making?" I heard him ask from behind me.
I peered into the fridge only to find that, for some reason, the crew that came once a week to sort my food out had brought an obscene amount of eggs. They were lying on the counter across from me and because it wouldn't take me long...and I wouldn't have to think much, I decided on simple scrambled eggs, and I informed Daniel as such. After I did though, he stared back at me curiously.
"What?" I demanded.
"Nothing!" he replied defensively, "Just never imagined you doing...y'know..normal stuff like cooking before."
"You're welcome to go hungry," I suggested as I turned on the range.
"Err...so...eggs, huh?" he asked and I nodded as I got to work. I would be lying I said that having a child in my home was no big change. But it was; especially when said child was Daniel - it would definitely take some getting used to.
(*1) Kharon or Charon is the Ferryman in Greek mythology who 'ferried' the souls of the dead to the underworld, and to whom the deceased would pay two pennies for his work. I just thought that with the Hercules movie ref in chapter 22 it'd be cool to put this in :)
A.N. Whoohoo, over 100 reviews, what a record...well, for me at least :)
The poem thing was originally sent to me by the awesome jeanette9a way back when I first introduced Clockwork's note, I did add in a few extra things and I made the fourth stanza rhyme, but it's mostly as we decided. Suffice to say though, I'm not much of a poet, but with help, I think we got it right :)
Oh, by the way, thanks for all the suggestions for the school name you guys left me! Hopefully I'll at least mention the school in the next chapter, till then guys n' girls!